TO REQUEST OUR SERVICES, CALL OR TEXT (678) 609-3384 OR EMAIL CONTACT@GACERTK9.ORG
K9 SEARCH & RESCUE SERVICES
Who We Are
We are certified, licensed, & insured SAR K9 handlers supporting existing emergency responders.
GA-CERT K9 is an organization of certified, licensed and insured volunteer emergency specialists who have received extensive training in:
Disaster response
K9 Tracking & Trailing
Human Remains Detection & Recovery (Land and Water)
Live Area Search
Community-related Medical Service Work
Community-related Emotional Support & Therapy Work
Our Goals
01
To provide supplemental search, rescue and recovery capabilities of humans to law enforcement and other public safety agencies 24/7 in both wilderness and urban environments, on both land and water in the event of a disaster or accident.
02
To provide training on basic response skills to members of neighborhoods, community organizations, communities of faith and businesses. GA-CERT K9 members are then integrated into emergency response efforts in their area in times of need.
Before GA-CERT K9 can assist with a missing person case, the missing person’s family must have already filed (documented) a missing person report with the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the missing person was last seen.
After filing a missing person report with law enforcement, the family representative should then contact GA-CERT K9. One of our Search Managers will ask that you collect the following information:
-
An accurate description of the missing person and their last known location
-
A scent article not handled by anyone else but the missing person (if possible)
-
A recent photo
-
The law enforcement agency’s case number, the investigator’s name & phone number
-
The names of any other SAR organizations or Private Investigation Agencies working the case
The GA-CERT K9 representative may have additional questions for the family and/or law enforcement that will help us set up the proper strategies for the particular search.
GA-CERT Handlers
Each GA-CERT K9 team member has undergone basic training in disaster response skills, such as fire safety, search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
In addition, GA-CERT K9 handlers have undergone extensive cultural sensitivity, cultural competency and inclusion training to ensure a healthy and holistic approach to working in diverse communities in and around Atlanta.
GA-CERT K9 services are available for FREE and offered in English, Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL), Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic.
We specialize and train weekly in a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to human remains detection, trailing, tracking, map and compass reading, crime scene preservation, GPS navigation, First Aid, scent theory, and missing person behavior.
Our Handler & Dog Teams Hold Certifications in:
North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) Certified - Tracking & Trailing
Law Enforcement Training Specialists International, Inc. (LETS) Certified - Land and Water, Cadaver/Human Remains Recovery
National Organization Certifying Search and Rescue (NOCSAR) Certified - Live Area Search
National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Certified - SARTECH II
National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Certified - Human Remains Detection Land - Type Other
GAK9 Tactical Tracker Teams Certified - Trailing Level 3
GAK9 Tactical Tracker Teams Certified - Suburban Trailing Level 1
Our Teams are GEMA (Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency) licensed and we are bonded & insured
Areas of Focus
-
Scent-Specific Wilderness & Urban Trailing - This search method is useful in areas highly contaminated with other human scent
-
Live Area Search - Search dogs seek out any live human scent in an assigned search area
-
Human Remains Detection - Canines trained to locate partially decomposed and/or disarticulated human remains
-
Cadaver Area Search - Can be deployed if the lost person is believed to be deceased
-
Water Search - A drowning victim can be located in a body of water. Dogs can work from shore or by boat
-
Historical Grave Detection - canines trained to locate historical burial sites
-
First Responder Live Search - Search dogs can find and indicate the location of a live person trapped within a collapsed structure
-
First Responder Cadaver Search - Canines can locate a deceased person within a collapsed structure by cadaver dogs trained to work in rubble situations
-
Evidence / Article Search - Search dogs can locate objects with human scent
